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Gypsum wallboard, or drywall, is a material used in the construction of walls. After installation, the wallboard material is finished with joint compound, textured and painted. Ceramic tile is often installed on gypsum wallboard in bathroom and kitchen areas. A common kitchen application involves installing ceramic tile to the wallboard between the upper and lower kitchen cabinets. This provides a decorative and easy-to-clean surface called a backsplash. The most common method used when installing ceramic tile to wallboard entails using an adhesive referred to as mastic. The all-purpose tile adhesive is suitable for use on wallboard, concrete and cement boards.

1

Determine the layout for the kitchen backsplash. Use a level, straightedge and square to draw the desired pattern on the wall.

2

Apply mastic to the wall using a V-notch or square notch trowel. The type of trowel used is determined by the size of the tile and the condition of the wall. Rarely is a square notch trowel larger than 1/4 inch used to spread mastic, no matter the tile size. Do not cover your reference lines with the mastic, as the lines need to remain visible to aide in aligning the tiles.

3

Install the ceramic tiles by firmly pressing them into place in the applicable locations according to your pattern. Ceramic tiles that have lugs on their edges butt together and do not require tile spacers. Ceramic tiles without lugs that incorporate a grout joint might require the use of vinyl tile spacers to eliminate the tile from slipping out of place. The use of tile spacers is determined by the size of the tile, the applicable application and the skill of the installer.

4

Clean excess adhesive from the grout joints, tile face and any other areas before it dries using a margin trowel and damp sponge. Wring the sponge frequently in a bucket of clean water for maximum efficiency.

5

Cut the tiles when applicable using a standard tile cutter or a rotary tool equipped with a diamond wheel accessory or tile-cutting bit. Make straight cuts using the standard snap-cut tile cutter by drawing the machine's cutting wheel across the surface of the tile in the desired location. Notches and L-cuts required around outlets or cabinet corners require using the rotary tool. Align the diamond wheel or tile-cutting bit with the desired mark on the tile and slowly cut along the line until meeting the intersecting line or lines. Reposition the tile and cut along the other line until it meets the aforementioned cut. The waste section of tile should fall away; if it does not, flip the tile over on its face and continue cutting from the back. Clean out the corner using the rotary tool to remove any burrs or remaining tile.

Things You Will Need

Level

Straightedge

Square

V-notch or square notch trowel

Margin trowel

Vinyl tile spacers

Sponge

Bucket

Standard tile cutter

Rotary tool

Diamond wheel accessory

Tile-cutting bit accessory

Tip

Install bull nose, end cap or flush cap to the outside perimeter of the tile for a professional appearance.

Warnings

Wear protective eye gear when cutting ceramic tile or using power tools.

About the Author

Robert Ferguson has been a writer since 2000. His published work includes material for major companies in the home improvement, plumbing, HVAC and power tool industry. Ferguson is a self-employed, licensed building contractor in Florida with more than 30 years of hands on experience experience focusing primarily on residential remodeling, repair, renovation and construction.